Baptisms

Requirements

No one has more influence on a child's growing sense of God and the Catholic faith community than the child's parents. At Baptism, the faith is proclaimed for infants by their parents and godparents who represent the Church. After His resurrection Jesus Christ commanded his disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). 

Baptism unites us with Christ because it incorporates us into the Church. St. Paul describes it as being "clothed" with Christ. The Church mediates the presence of the risen Jesus to us. It is through the Church that we are introduced to Jesus and grow in our ability to recognize his presence among us in the Scripture, in the Breaking of Bread, and the Assembly.

OLOG pre-baptismal catechesis prepares parents and godparents to fulfill Christ’s command by preparing them for the event of their child’s baptism. By bringing their child for baptism, parents are helping to form a new disciple of Christ. Parents who wish bring their child under age 7 to be baptized must meet with one of the Parish Priest the parish office and complete a baptismal registration form.

Parents and godparents are required to attend a pre-baptismal catechesis prior to baptism. Parents must select at least one godparent.

Policies and Procedures
  1. Parents generally have their children baptized in the parish where they themselves are registered and are participating members.
  2. Baptisms, except in emergencies, are not celebrated during Lent.
  3. Godparents must be Confirmed, practicing Catholics over the age of sixteen. If Godparents are married, their wedding has to be celebrated in the church. Only one godparent is required but if two are chosen only one from each gender is needed for the records. 
  4. Members of other Christian churches may serve as Christian witnesses as long as there is also one eligible godparent.
  5. Godparents who are not members of OLOG parish are asked to present a Sponsor Certificate from their own parish at the time the Baptism is scheduled.
  6. Parents need to  attend the Baptism Preparation class before scheduling the baptism of their child.
  7.  Several months before the child is to be baptized, parents should call the Parish Office to sign up for these classes.
  8. Regarding infant baptism, please call Parish office to arrange paperwork.
  9. The Baptism of older children, teens, or adults follows the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). For further information, please contact Marta Valladares @ 510 657 4043
The requirements to be a godparent include: 
  1. Being age 16 or older;
  2. Being a Catholic who has received First Communion and Confirmation;  
  3. If married, must be married in the Catholic Church, or have been given a dispensation to marry outside the Church;
  4. One who intends to fulfill the role of godparent by being an example of Christian discipleship to his/her godchild;
  5. Please call the parish office at least 2 months in advance to arrange for the preparation program required of parents and godparents.

In-Person English Classes
Registration is required

We hold two classes per month in English. The Second Saturdays at 10:00 AM and the Fourth Mondays at 7:00 PM. 

In- Person Spanish Classes
​Registration is required

We hold two classes per month in Spanish. The Second Tuesdays at 7:00 PM and the Fourth Sundays at 2:00 PM.

Baptism Schedule

Please call Parish office